Last Modified: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 5:52 a.m.

Joe Garrison, 41, whose land management company landscaped the first phase of The Landings, has filed to run in the April 2 special election.

If elected, Garrison said, he hopes to lower the city's spending to save money for the residents and increase economic development.

"I worked hard all my life, and I know how hard it is to earn a dollar. ... So, in return, I think we need to spend it wisely on what's needed," he said. "If we save the money, we can put money in promoting Winter Haven to create jobs for everyone."

If elected, Garrison said he also would work to stop commissioners from voting on issues not listed on their meeting agendas.

"I would attempt to try to do away with, what I call back-door politics," he said. "I think that's some of the reason that the citizens have lost respect with the city.

"It's not fair to the people who pay them."

Garrison served six years as Dundee's mayor, deciding not to run for a fourth two-year term in 2003.

During his last year, he faced accusations of sexual harassment by a Polk State College student who was working with Garrison at the Polk County Emergency Medical Services.

He was suspended without pay for about a week and said he regretted the conversations that led to the complaint.

Also that year, Garrison survived an attempt to recall him from the mayor's position, and a majority of Dundee city commissioners asked him to resign after recurring disagreements with the town manager and police chief.

Garrison said he's all the better for the experience.

"I think it will make me a better commissioner (in Winter Haven)," Garrison said. "There were a lot of problems in Dundee ... and I didn't stand for it."

Garrison moved to Winter Haven three years ago but still lives close enough to Dundee that he remains a volunteer with the city's fire department. He is an assistant chief.

Garrison owns a 10-acre peach farm and three other businesses — Garrison Land Management, Garrison Sod and Garrison Property Services. He has two sons and one daughter.

Six people have filed to run in the April special election to fill the vacant seat, but one has already bowed out.

Seat 4 was vacated when Jamie Beckett resigned from the commission in December after accepting a new job with a Winter Haven Airport flight school.

Long-time Winter Haven Public Library Board Chairman Brad Dantzler, Winter Haven activist Barry Nottle, former commission candidate Debra Ogzewalla and Philip VanWinkle all have filed for the contest. Daniel De Jesus filed but now says a hip injury will prevent him from running.

<p>WINTER HAVEN | A former controversial Dundee mayor with ties to The Landings project is seeking a seat on the Winter Haven City Commission.</p><p>Joe Garrison, 41, whose land management company landscaped the first phase of The Landings, has filed to run in the April 2 special election.</p><p>If elected, Garrison said, he hopes to lower the city's spending to save money for the residents and increase economic development.</p><p>"I worked hard all my life, and I know how hard it is to earn a dollar. ... So, in return, I think we need to spend it wisely on what's needed," he said. "If we save the money, we can put money in promoting Winter Haven to create jobs for everyone."</p><p>If elected, Garrison said he also would work to stop commissioners from voting on issues not listed on their meeting agendas.</p><p>"I would attempt to try to do away with, what I call back-door politics," he said. "I think that's some of the reason that the citizens have lost respect with the city.</p><p>"It's not fair to the people who pay them."</p><p>Garrison served six years as Dundee's mayor, deciding not to run for a fourth two-year term in 2003.</p><p>During his last year, he faced accusations of sexual harassment by a Polk State College student who was working with Garrison at the Polk County Emergency Medical Services.</p><p>He was suspended without pay for about a week and said he regretted the conversations that led to the complaint.</p><p>Also that year, Garrison survived an attempt to recall him from the mayor's position, and a majority of Dundee city commissioners asked him to resign after recurring disagreements with the town manager and police chief.</p><p>Garrison said he's all the better for the experience.</p><p>"I think it will make me a better commissioner (in Winter Haven)," Garrison said. "There were a lot of problems in Dundee ... and I didn't stand for it."</p><p>Garrison moved to Winter Haven three years ago but still lives close enough to Dundee that he remains a volunteer with the city's fire department. He is an assistant chief.</p><p>Garrison owns a 10-acre peach farm and three other businesses — Garrison Land Management, Garrison Sod and Garrison Property Services. He has two sons and one daughter.</p><p>Six people have filed to run in the April special election to fill the vacant seat, but one has already bowed out.</p><p>Seat 4 was vacated when Jamie Beckett resigned from the commission in December after accepting a new job with a Winter Haven Airport flight school.</p><p>Long-time Winter Haven Public Library Board Chairman Brad Dantzler, Winter Haven activist Barry Nottle, former commission candidate Debra Ogzewalla and Philip VanWinkle all have filed for the contest. Daniel De Jesus filed but now says a hip injury will prevent him from running.</p><p>Qualifying for the race ends today at noon.</p>